Chronister told a news conference on Monday that he believes there is “nothing more important than faith during a time like this” and said that he’s not trying to stop people from worshipping.
But he said that Howard-Browne disregarded orders from federal, state, and local officials and put “hundreds of people” in his congregation “at risk” and others “in danger.”
“They have access to technology allowing them to live stream their services over the internet and broadcast to their 400 members from the safety of their own homes, but instead they chose to gather at church,” Chronister noted.
Howard-Browne isn’t yet in custody, but the sheriff believes he will turn himself in soon.
Sheriff’s deputies and Chronister himself both attempted to speak to the pastor on two separate occasions.
“I think it’s unfortunate that the pastor here is hiding behind the First Amendment,“ State Attorney Warren said in the news conference. ”One, it’s absolutely clear that emergency orders like this are constitutional and valid. Second of all, leaders from our faith-based community across this country have embraced the importance of social distancing.”
